Humidity control for long term storage of articles

ABSTRACT

A humidity regulating system and method is disclosed for use in the storage of humidity sensitive items and includes a storage container defining a volume for storing articles of interest and having a selected generally low water vapor transmission rate, a closure arrangement that generally effectively seals fabric items in the storage container thereby creating a storage environment, and one or more humidity regulating units in communication with the interior of the storage container and including humidity regulating material capable of regulating a desired, generally constant relative humidity in the storage environment that will not support mold growth in fabric or other articles of interest during a selected duration.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

I. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to controlling humidity in small,relatively closed environments and, more particularly, to a system andmethod for regulating environmental humidity about stored articles ofclothing, other fabric and diverse articles in a manner that precludesmold growth or other humidity-related problems which may occur duringlong term storage. The system combines storage containers fabricatedfrom materials having generally low water vapor transmission rates andeffective closure systems with one or more humidity control devicesplaced in the containers to produce units which maintain a generallyconstant relative humidity in the internal environment despite ambienthumidity swings.

II. Related Art

Exposure to excess moisture is known to have undesirable and detrimentaleffects on clothing and other fabrics such as bedding, linens, etc.,particularly when they are stored for significant periods of time up tosix months or more. When most fabrics are stored at water activitieswhich are at or above about 0.60 (60% relative humidity), they maybecome “musty” because of the slow growth of mold or other fungi. Thisis especially true at temperatures above 70° F. (21.1° C.). At higherwater activities, the growth rate of mold increases dramatically, evenexponentially. This is quite noticeable as the water activity increasesthrough the 0.7 range (70% relative humidity).

Not only is “mustiness” unpleasant, but mold growth tends to weakennatural fibers such as cotton, wool, silk and also to produce allergensto trouble those susceptible to airborne particles.

Clothing garment bags have long been widely used to keep dust and otherparticular matter from clothes. However, these bags are open to rapid tochange of ambient air and thus, are ineffective in dealing with highhumidity or changes in the humidity to which the clothes are exposed.

Prior and present methods of reducing and regulating moisture content instorage areas to alleviate undesirable conditions for storage of fabricssuch as clothing, bedding, etc., include employing air conditioning ordehumidifying systems or storing the items in controlled atmosphererooms, all of which are quite expensive. While air conditioning systemsare often employed, they suffer from certain shortcomings. Modernrefrigerants operate at higher temperatures than traditionalrefrigerants. Because the cooling coils operate at higher temperatures,they are correspondingly less effective at reducing moisture content(absolute humidity) of the air contacting the coils. Thus, whereas oldersystems generally reduced the relative humidity value to the 50% range,today's air conditioning units produce relative humidities that areoften more than 10% higher, i.e., in the 0.6+ (60+ % RH) range, adifference sufficient to enhance the likelihood of the development of“mustiness” in stored fabrics such as cotton, wool and linen.

Likewise, dehumidifiers, which also use refrigeration to cool the airpassing over evaporator coils, also have limitations. With thesedevices, provision must be made to permanently drain the condensedmoisture from the system or periodically empty a container, neither ofwhich may be convenient to garment storage.

Exposed desiccant drying agents, while effective, are inconvenient touse because salt solutions are produced which are messy and which mustbe the subject of proper disposal procedures. Furthermore, desiccantshave limited capacity to take up water and are generally expensive.

Several products are currently available to reduce relative humidity inclosets or small rooms in which clothing is stored. These employanhydrous calcium or magnesium chlorides or other hydrophilic compoundssuch as sodium sulfate. These products have a minimal effect on therelative humidity in clothing closets as is apparent from theobservations recorded in FIG. 1. They are of too limited a capacity withrespect to the large volumes of air associated with rooms and closets.

Moreover, for example, accidental contact of leather with the mostcommon desiccant salt, calcium chloride, causes irreversible damage tothe leather. Excessive drying of certain fibers is also undesirable. Forexample, conditions that are too dry will make fibers such as cotton andwool more brittle and, thus, subject to damage in that manner.

It is known to provide a humidity control device for maintaining adesired relative humidity in a protective case such as a musicalinstrument case or a cigar humidor using a water vapor permeable pouch,or the like, containing a thickened saturated solution which is designedto create a desired relative humidity in the air space adjacent to thehumidity control device. Those devices are generally designed to addhumidity and so they have a relatively high moisture equilibrium point.Such a system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,936,178 assigned to thesame assignee as the present application. The contents of that patentare incorporated herein by reference for any purpose.

Thus, there remains a definite need to provide environmental humiditycontrol about stored articles of clothing that will control the relativehumidity in a value range that will not support mold growth and yet willnot dry the fabrics to a point of damage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

By means of the present invention, there is provided a system forregulating the relative humidity in certain storage environments, or thelike, using storage enclosures in the form of containers of limitedvolume. The system is applicable to the storage of any moisturesensitive material, but is particularly described with reference tofabric materials including articles of clothing and other fabric items(collectively fabric articles) and edible materials.

The system includes storage containers such as bins, drawers, garmentbags and the like. The enclosures should be fabricated from materialshaving generally low water vapor transmission rates (MVTR). Eachcontainer should be equipped with a closure arrangement that effectivelyseals stored items in the storage container keeping leakage to a minimumthereby creating a separate storage environment. To this are added oneor more humidity regulating units placed in communication with theinterior of the storage container and which are selected to be capableof maintaining a desired, generally constant relative humidity in thestorage environment for a selected length of time. In this manner, therelative humidity in the storage environment can be regulated at a valuelow enough to preclude mold growth in fabric articles contained in thestorage container and yet be high enough not to damage the contentsbecause of brittleness caused by being excessively dry.

While other types such as drawers or bins, the containers for fabricarticles are preferably in the form of storage bags fabricated frompolymer films of low water transmission rate selected from suchmaterials as vinyls, polyesters, polyamides, including nylons, orpolyalkylenes, including polyethylene and polypropylene. The materialmay be further coated on one or both sides with a material selected froma diverse fabric, foil, metalized film, paper, non-woven polymers, glassfilms and other materials selected to reduce the water vaporpermeability even further. In certain environments, a permeability ashigh as 0.3 or even 0.4 gm/100 in ^(0.2)(645.16 cm²) 24 hours can betolerated. This is particularly true where the ambient humidity is lessthan 50% RH and the storage period is as short as two months or so. Thepermeability of the container generally should be less than 0.2 gm/100in² (645.16 cm²)/24 hours and is preferably below 0.10 gm/100 in²(645.16 cm²)/24 hours and more preferably below 0.03 gm/100 in² (645.16cm²)/24 hours. Certain combinations of materials may have a water vaportransmission rate of <0.001 gm/100 sq. in. (645.16 cm²)/24 hours.

Closure of polymer film containers is preferably accomplished by azipper lock or slider such as is commonly employed in storage bags, amatching strip and groove system, repeatable use tape or other multipleuse device that minimizes leakage and the passage of vapor between theambient storage environment and the interior of the container. Bins ordrawers can be provided with sealing sheets which substantially sealabout the interior of a drawer or bin over the articles to be stored.This may be of coated paper, cardboard, plastic or wood, for example. Inaddition, a weather strip, or the like, type of seal between the sheetand the sides of the drawer can also be employed. In the case of hangingclothing enclosures, hanging hooks may be taped in place with washers,or the like, or sealing collars made from soft, closed cell foam, forexample.

The humidity regulating units are preferably placed in the storagecontainer and may be of any desired number, size or capacity, selectiondepending on the volume of the storage container, water vaportransmission rate, desired length of storage time and the generalaverage relative humidity of the ambient environment.

The humidity regulating units are preferably in the form of flexiblepouches or containers having an area of semi-permeable film such thatwater vapor can be exchanged between the humidity regulating unit andthe storage environment. In some applications, the regulator units canbe configured to regulate storage environment humidity at generallypredetermined values such as ˜24% RH, ˜32% RH and ˜45% RH, or a range of% relative humidity between 24% and 50%, depending on the combination acapacity of materials to take up moisture used in the unit. Some ofthese are described in greater detail in the above-referenced issuedU.S. patent. Most clothing storage applications, however, involveestablishing a rate of water removal that compensates for water vaporthat enters the storage volume and the desired length of term ofstorage.

As used herein, the term “humidity regulating materials” includes avariety of materials having an ability to take up moisture from theenvironmental surroundings (hygroscopic materials). The materials may bein the form of desiccant-type salt materials or other water attractingmaterials. Preferred compounds have an ability to take up amounts ofwater and eventually dissolve or deliquesce and become solutes in asolution of the water taken up. Certain of these materials may be usedto maintain a generally constant relative humidity while taking up waterin a closed space as they reach successive hydrate states until they arecompletely dissolved at which time the capacity of the material fortaking on water (humidity regulating effect) is finally depleted. Thepercentage of relative humidity at which the environment is controlledduring the time the material is effective can be varied by the selectionof the humidity regulating materials, or combination thereof, and thetime the materials are effective can be varied according to the amountused.

While it is feasible to simply seal moisture regulating materials in apouch made from semi-permeable films, such pouches may develop leaks dueto inadequate sealing or small imperfections in the film. In onepreferred embodiment, these leaks are mitigated by blending in finelydivided brine tolerant hydrocolloids such as Xanthan gum or otherthickening agents to inhibit flow of the significantly viscous saturatedsolution formed by absorption of water vapor from the storage containerenvironment.

Without limitation, humidity regulating materials include a large numberof salts, particularly salts of alkaline earth metals such as calcium,magnesium and zinc and alkali metals such as sodium and potassium. Theseinclude, but are not limited to, chlorides such as calcium or magnesiumchloride (preferably anhydrous); calcium, magnesium and zinc nitrates(preferably anhydrous) and other salts such as sodium sulfate, sodiumbromide, sodium chlomate, potassium carbonate (preferably anhydrous)zinc nitrate and mixtures of these salts and others with similarproperties of taking up moisture. As indicated, the salt mixture may betailored to control the relative humidity at a desired percentage.

The anhydrous or dihydrate forms of the materials are preferred becausethey have a high capacity to take up moisture while still maintainingthe relative humidity in the container in the range desired, normallyabout 30-45% RH for most of its life. This keeps the fabric environmentbelow 50% RH until the capacity of the packet is depleted.

As anhydrous calcium chloride, for example, will take up water and willquickly reach approximately 24% RH, especially if a minor amount ofmagnesium chloride is present. As the calcium chloride continues to takeup water, it becomes a hexahydrate, at which point it regulates thepercent relative humidity at about 33-36%. The material continues totake up water until all of the calcium chloride hexahydrate is dissolvedin the moisture. This occurs at a relative humidity of about 50-55%after which the humidity regulating material has lost its capability totake on more water and so to regulate.

Certain other common desiccants such as bentonite, molecular sieves,silica gels, etc. can be used but they have limited capacity to take upmoisture and are clearly less precise at regulating the relativehumidity.

In the humidity regulating units of the invention, the humidityregulating materials may preferably be combined with thickening agentsto stabilize the contents of the humidity regulating units againstpossible leakage and thereby mitigate deliquescent effects of thehumidity regulating materials where necessary. These includehydrocolloids such as xanthan gum which may be especially effective ifmixed with an amount of powdered (confectioner's) sugar. The sugar helpswith the hydration of the hydrocolloid especially when the sugar andgums are milled together. This further enables the material to absorblarge amounts of water without achieving a liquid state which wouldreadily leak from a defect in the unit.

Successful units have included a paste made from water and xanthan gumcombined with magnesium chloride hexahydrate and calcium chloridedihydrate. A high capacity moisture absorbing/regulating combinationunit was prepared without water and included an anhydrous calciumchloride powder, brine tolerant xanthan and powdered sugar(confectioners sugar). A further derived filling example includedcalcium chloride dihydrate, calcium chloride anhydrous, powderedconfectioners sugar, brine tolerant xanthan gum and hydroxypropylalginate. Many others are possible, as will be apparent.

In addition to garment bags customized by modifications stronglyinhibiting the entrance of moisture vapor into the bags so that thehumidity regulating pouches have a shelf-life of at least severalmonths, bins or dresser drawers can also be employed. Bins made fromheavy polyethylene or other plastic materials with tight fitting lidscan protect fabrics or other moisture sensitive objects when humidityregulating units are placed on or among the objects. The number ofpackets or units needed depends on the expected ingress of moisturevapor during the storage test and the size of the container.

Other humidity sensitive materials and commodities can also be protectedby the humidity control concepts of the present invention. For example,it is well known that in humid climates, moisture sensitive ediblematerials including foods and culinary ingredients deteriorate whenwater is absorbed from the environment by the product. Examples of suchmaterials include salt, sugar and flour, ready-to-eat cereals, crackers,candies, pet foods and the like, i.e., any such materials that losetheir desirable texture and become either tough, soft or sticky or maybe subject to mold or mildew. All such materials and commodities may becollectively defined herein as “edible materials”.

It will be appreciated that the packets of the present invention arealso effective in maintaining textural qualities of foods when thesecommodities are stored in containers made from low permeabilitymaterials such as polypropylene, high density polyethylene,polycarbonate, low-density polyethylene, and the like. Ready-to-eatcereals, for example, have been found to remain crisp significantlylonger in humid climates such as the Gulf Coast of the United States.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings wherein like numerals designate like parts throughoutthe same:

FIG. 1 depicts a graphical comparison between ambient and closethumidities using a commercial dehumidifier in accordance with the priorart;

FIG. 2 is a graphical comparison that depicts a comparison of ambienthumidity and a bag filled with clothing in accordance with theembodiment of the invention described in Example 1;

FIG. 3 is a graphical comparison that depicts a comparison of ambienthumidity and a bag filled with clothing in accordance with theembodiment of the invention described in Example 2;

FIG. 4 is a graphical comparison that depicts a comparison of ambienthumidity and a bag filled with clothing in accordance with theembodiment of the invention described in Example 5;

FIG. 5 is a graphical comparison that depicts a comparison of ambienthumidity and a bag filled with clothing in accordance with theembodiment of the invention described in Example 6;

FIG. 6 is a graphical comparison that depicts a comparison of ambienthumidity and a bag filled with clothing in accordance with theembodiment of the invention described in Example 7;

FIG. 7 is a graphical comparison that depicts a comparison of ambienthumidity and a bag filled with clothing in accordance with theembodiment of the invention described in Example 7;

FIG. 8 is a graphical comparison that depicts a comparison of ambienthumidity and a bag filled with clothing in accordance with theembodiment of the invention described in Example 8.

FIG. 9 is an exploded schematic drawing of a drawer and a cover used toinhibit the moisture absorption by clothing in the drawer in accordancewith the invention; and

FIG. 10 illustrates a typical clothing storage bag modified inaccordance with the invention to further inhibit the development ofmustiness in stored clothing items.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description presents examples of embodiments ofthe concepts of the invention, but these are not designed to beexhaustive or limiting in any manner and others within the scope ofthese concepts will occur to those skilled in the art.

EXAMPLE 1

Rectangular bags having relatively long and short edges were preparedfrom clear, 6-mil vinyl. The bags were heat sealed on 3 edges andprovided with a slider-seal at the fourth, a narrow or short edge toprovide access to produce a storage container.

Filling for units designed to regulate at about 32% RH was prepared asfollows:

Water (45° C.) 300 g Xanthan gum  14 gwere mixed in a blender to disperse the gum for quick hydration.

Magnesium Chloride hexahydrate 1000 g was added with stirring. ThenCalcium chloride dihydrate  450 gwas added and mixed thoroughly to form a paste of which approximately 70g each was placed in 3.5×5.25 inch pouches (units) prepared from 1.5 milpolyester elastomer film extruded on paper.

Approximately 2.13 kg of bedding consisting of sheets, pillow cases anda heavy knit blanket was placed in one of the vinyl bags. Eight poucheswere weighed and distributed one to two layers of fabric around theperimeter of the fabric in the vinyl bag storage container. Atemperature-humidity logger, set to collect data at 1 hour intervals,was placed in the approximate center of the fabric load. The bag wasclosed with the sliding closure.

The vinyl bag was placed in a chamber humidified with Potassium chloridesolution holding the ambient relative humidity between 70 and 75percent. The results are depicted in FIG. 2.

EXAMPLE 2

Similarly, another vinyl bag from Example 1 was filled with 2.12 kg ofclothing including a sport jacket, cotton shirts and slacks and a robe.Eight weighed humidity regulating units were placed in pockets of thesports coat, slacks and shirts. A data logger was placed in the innervest pocket of the sports coat. As with the bedding, the clothes bag wasplaced in the high humidity chamber.

Results: The data loggers provided the data depicted by FIG. 3.

The statistical analysis of these data show very good control of thehumidity within the container of clothing and good control with beddingplaced in a “tropical” chamber maintained with, saturated PotassiumChloride solution. The difference in performance can be attributed to ahigher water content in the bedding at the beginning of the trial inFIG. 2.

EXAMPLE 3

Additional units were prepared as described in Example 1.

About 2.1 Kg of bedding including cotton sheets, pillow cases, pajamasand a wool/nylon knitted blanket were placed in a 6 mil vinyl bag. Adata logger was placed among the pillow cases approximately at thecenter of the bag and 8 humidity regulators were distributed at twolevels, about ¼ of the way from the bottom and top around the perimeterof the storage bag.

This bag was placed in a “Tropical Chamber” humidified with saturatedpotassium chloride solution.

Results:

The clothes were held in the range of 35 to 43% relative humidity.

The moisture pick up by the pouches averaged 1.5 to 1.6 g/day hencewould require about 2 units per month of storage.

EXAMPLE 4

A high capacity, moisture absorbing/controlling unit or pouch wasprepared without water as follows:

Powdered sugar (confectioner's sugar) 169 g Xanthan, brine tolerant 40 gAnhydrous Calcium chloride, powder 1200 g Were blended together with ablender to form ahomogeneous powder.

Approximately 35 g portions of this powdered mixture were placed intopouches 3½ by 5¼ inches (8.9×13.3 cm) of a highly permeable film onpaper as described in Example 1.

The pouches were labeled individually and weighed to ±0.02 g. Poucheswere attached to the interior of 2-6 mil vinyl bags measuringapproximately 28×54 inches with a sliding closure at one end. Theclothing from Example 1 was transferred to this bag along with atemperature/humidity data logger set for 1 hour sampling intervals.

EXAMPLE 5

A dry filling was prepared from:

Calcium Chloride Dihydrate 600 g Calcium Chloride Anhydrous 600 gPowdered Confectioner's sugar 300 g Brine Tolerant Xanthan gum  40 gHydroxypropyl Alginate  20 g

The sugar, xanthan gum and hydroxypropyl alginate, were blended forseveral minutes at high speed before being combined with the saltmaterials.

Two suit size laminated vinyl bags, 28×40 inches (71.12×101.6 cm) and a“roll up” clothes storage bag, 19×27 inches (48.26×68.58 cm), each witha side closure at a narrow end, were fitted with 5 pouches (units) eachof 3.25×5 inch generic film containing about 35 g dry filling. The unitswere placed among and in pockets of about 3 kg. of clothing so thatunits were distributed along the length of the bags.

Humidity/temperature loggers set at 1-hour sampling intervals wereplaced about 10 inches from either end of each bag. The filled bags werelaid out on shelves in a “tropical chamber” with an elevated ambient RH(above 60%).

The results observed in this bag are shown in FIG. 4.

The logger data showed excellent control of the relative humidity withinthe bedding storage bag, the unit nearest the closure end in each casegained about 25% more weight than any of the other units:

Ambient AmEx Lam A Lam B Size, In 19 × 27 28 × 40 28 × 40 Mean 79.9322.91 26.23 25.84 Standard Error 0.04 0.01 0.02 0.03 Standard 1.22 0.230.56 0.96 Deviation Range 9.10 0.90 2.00 3.20 Water gain, g/day 0.531.02 0.98

EXAMPLE 6

A dry filling was prepared by blending together in a blender at highspeed:

Calcium Chloride, Anhydrous 1200 g Confectioner's Sugar (Powdered) 160 gBrine tolerant Xanthan gum 40 g

Units of standard generic film, 3.25×5 inches (8.26×12.7 cm) were filledwith about 35 grams of filling. Garment bags 22×54 inches (55.9×137.16cm) were prepared from 8 mil vinyl and 6 packets were attached to theinside front and back of these garment bags with hook and loop fasteners(Velcro™).

Garment bags such as described in Example 5 were set up in the masterbedroom closet of a house built in 2003 near Tampa Fla. An eye bolt waspoked through the seam on the closed end of the garment bags and thehole was sealed with electrician's tape between two flat washers. Sixunits with 35 g of dry filling were attached to the interior of the bagswith hook and loop strips. Two sport coats, suit, a winter dress and oneor two shirts were hung by hangers from the eye bolt. A hook to hang thebag was affixed and the filled bags were hung in a closet as indicated.The data measured by a data logger shows that newer homes havesurprisingly high relative humidities, being about 64% at temperaturesof about 80° F., conditions that can lead to “mustiness”. Cold weatherclothing such as parkas, flannel shirts, sweat pants, etc., was placedin these bags.

The results are illustrated in FIG. 5.

EXAMPLE 7

Two garment bags were prepared in accordance with the bags of Example 6.One was filled with a similar mixture of men's clothing placed on threehangers in the bag. Two cotton tablecloths were hung on two coat hangersin the other garment bag. These were hung from nails in the joists of abasement storeroom during June to July in Minnesota (79 days).

The difference in the gain of moisture by the packets was likely due tothe moisture in the heavy clothing that was placed into the garmentbags. A difference of 3 ounces of water in the fabrics easily accountsfor the difference in the water gain per day.

EXAMPLE 8

A dry filling was prepared by blending at high speed:

Anhydrous Calcium Chloride Powder 350 g  Brine tolerant Xanthan gum 20 gPropylene Glycol Alginate 20 g Confectioner's sugar, powdered 75 g ThenCalcium Chloride dihydrate 500 g  was added

About 35 g of this filling was added to each 3.25″×5″ pouch and taken toa Tampa location in Florida where a garment bag was set up in the garageof a new home.

The results are shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 9 depicts an exploded schematic drawing of a drawer and cover whichcombine to inhibit moisture absorption by clothing stored in the drawer.The drawer is designed to accommodate humidity regulating units orpackets in accordance with the invention to control drawer humidity andinhibit the onset of mustiness in clothing stored in the drawer for anextended period of time.

The drawer is shown generally at 20 and is provided with a cover 22sized to fit snuggly inside the top of the drawer and includesadjustable devices as at 24 and 26 to provide a tight peripheral fitbetween cover and drawer. A soft closed-cell foam seal gasket materialas shown at 27-30 is provided about the periphery of the cover toeffectively seal the top and inhibit the transfer of moisture at thejuncture between the cover 22 and the drawer 20. The sidewalls 32,endrails 34 and bottom panel 36 of the drawer also provide an adequatebarrier to reduce the ingress of ambient moisture into the drawervolume.

One or more-humidity regulating units as at 38 and retainers 40, whichmay be fabric or other perforated materials can be affixed permanentlyto the underside of the cover 22 as indicated at 42 and 44, to controlthe humidity inside the drawer volume. The drawer cover may be providedwith humidity regulating unit holders or they may be affixed to thebottom of the cover by any convenient means. The number, size andcontent of the humidity regulating units, of course, will depend uponthe contents and duration of time associated with the items to be sealedin the drawer.

FIG. 10 illustrates a typical clothing storage bag which has beenmodified to better inhibit the ingress of moisture and, thus, thedevelopment of mustiness in associated stored clothing items. Thisconstruction is especially beneficial in the case of seasonal clothingsuch as winter clothing or hunting clothing which is stored for longperiods of time between seasonal uses.

The garment bag, shown generally at 50, is preferably fabricated from amaterial which itself exhibits a very low water vapor transfer rate. Aplurality of humidity regulating units may be contained in holders as at52 which are preferably fabric or perforated solid material attached tothe interior of the bag and which may be distributed in any mannerdesired about the interior of the garment storage bag 50. The bagfurther includes a closure member 54, which can typically be used forrepeated opening and closing. A seal as at 56 is preferably providedbetween the closure member 54 and the bag 50 that effectively preventstransfer of moisture vapor such as a zipper with integral foam gasketslider, tongue and groove system or a multiple use adhesive material.The top of the garment bag 50 may be of a rigid material if the garmentbag is sufficiently large. The bag further may include a suspension hook58 with hanger ring 60.

It will be appreciated that the garment bag may be of any size. It canbe small, suitable for only 2 or 3 garments, or can be 12 + inches indepth, suitable for 8 to 10 or more garments. Deeper garment bags can bemade, however, it is preferable to employ multiple bags. The length andwidth of such storage bags can vary a great deal to accommodatedifferent types and sizes of clothing. As indicated, the number, sizeand content of the humidity regulating units can vary greatly dependingon the material, size and permeability of the storage container, storagetime and ambient conditions.

The net cost of the moisture regulation system consisting of thesemipermeable film, a protective covering of the film, capacity of thepacket and cost of the solutes is a major consideration in the choice ofsize and type of materials for a particular application.

This invention has been described herein in considerable detail in orderto comply with the patent statutes and to provide those skilled in theart with the information needed to apply the novel principles and toconstruct and use embodiments of the example as required. However, it isto be understood that the invention can be carried out by specificallydifferent devices and that various modifications can be accomplishedwithout departing from the scope of the invention itself.

1. A humidity regulating system for use in fabric storage comprising:(a) a storage container defining a volume for storing fabric articles ofinterest and having a selected water vapor transmission rate; (b) aclosure arrangement that generally effectively seals fabric items insaid storage container thereby creating a storage environment; and (c)one or more humidity regulating units in communication with the interiorof said storage container capable of regulating a desired, generallyconstant relative humidity in said storage environment that will notsupport mold growth in said fabric articles of interest during aselected duration.
 2. A humidity regulating system as in claim 1 whereinmaterial of said storage container comprises a polymer film.
 3. Ahumidity regulating system as in claim 2 wherein said material of saidstorage container has a water vapor transmission rate of ≦0.40 gm/100sq. in. (645.16 cm²)/24 hours.
 4. A humidity regulating system as inclaim 2 wherein said material of said storage container has a watervapor transmission rate of ≦0.10 gm/100 sq. in. (645.16 cm²)/24 hours.5. A humidity regulating system as in claim 2 wherein said material ofsaid storage container has a water vapor transmission rate of ≦0.03gm/100 sq. in. (645.16 cm²)/24 hours.
 6. A humidity regulating system asin claim 2 wherein the storage container further comprises a metal foiland wherein said storage container has a water vapor transmission rateof ≦0.001 gm/100 sq. in. (645.16 cm²)/24 hours.
 7. A humidity regulatingsystem as in claim 2 wherein said storage container further comprises agarment bag having a closure device selected from zippers, sliders,matching strip in groove systems, resealing tape and hook and loopdevices designed to minimize the passage of vapor between the storageenvironment and the interior of the container.
 8. A humidity regulatingsystem as in claim 1 wherein said humidity is controlled at ≦50% RH. 9.A humidity regulating system as in claim 2 wherein said storagecontainer comprises a material selected from vinyl, polyester, polyamideor polyalkylenes.
 10. A humidity regulating system as in claim 9 whereinsaid material of said storage container is further coated on one or bothsides with a material selected from a diverse fabric, foil, metalizedfilm, paper, non-woven polymers and glass films.
 11. A humidityregulating system as in claim 1 wherein said one or more humidityregulating units includes a container having an area of water vaporsemi-permeable film and contains one or more humidity regulatingmaterials.
 12. A humidity regulating system as in claim 11 wherein saidhumidity regulating units are selected from flexible pouches, semi-rigidcontainers and rigid containers of selected size and capacity.
 13. Ahumidity regulating system as in claim 11 wherein said humidityregulating materials include one or more hygroscopic salts and abrine-tolerant thickening material.
 14. A humidity regulating system asin claim 12 wherein said humidity regulating materials include one ormore hygroscopic salts and a brine-tolerant thickening material.
 15. Ahumidity regulating system as in claim 12 wherein the humidityregulating materials include anhydrous magnesium chloride and anhydrouscalcium chloride in a ratio ranging from about 1 part magnesium chlorideand 99 parts calcium chloride to about 99 parts magnesium chloride to 1part calcium chloride.
 16. A humidity regulating system as in claim 13wherein the humidity regulating materials include anhydrous magnesiumchloride and anhydrous calcium chloride in a ratio ranging from about 1part magnesium chloride and 99 parts calcium chloride to about 99 partsmagnesium chloride to 1 part calcium chloride.
 17. A humidity regulatingsystem as in claim 13 wherein said humidity regulating materials includean amount of anhydrous calcium chloride, an amount of powderedconfectioners sugar and an amount of xanthan gum.
 18. A humidityregulating system as in claim 17 further comprising an amount of calciumchloride dihydrate and an amount of hydroxypropyl alginate.
 19. Ahumidity regulating system as in claim 13 wherein said thickeningmaterial includes confectioners sugar.
 20. A humidity regulating systemas in claim 19 wherein the amount of said confectioners sugar is fromabout 1% to about 35%.
 21. A humidity regulating system as in claim 1wherein said storage container is selected from the group consisting ofbins and drawers having closure systems in the form of sealing sheetsselected from the group consisting of coated paper, cardboard andplastic sealed about the interior of the drawer.
 22. A humidityregulating system as in claim 12 wherein said one or more humidityregulating units are contained in pouches in said storage container. 23.A humidity regulating system as in claim 11 further comprising an amountof one or more thickening materials.
 24. A humidity regulating system asin claim 23 further comprising an amount of powdered sugar.
 25. Ahumidity regulating system for use in storing fabric articles ofinterest comprising: (a) a storage container defining a volume forstoring said articles of interest and having a generally low water vaportransmission rate; (b) a closure arrangement that generally effectivelyseals said articles of interest in said storage container therebycreating a storage environment; and (c) one or more humidity regulatingunits containing amounts of humidity regulating materials incommunication with the interior of said storage container capable ofregulating a desired, generally constant relative humidity in saidstorage environment that will maintain a desired humidity range in saidarticles of interest during a selected duration.
 26. A humidityregulating system as in claim 24 wherein the materials of said storagecontainer comprises a polymer film having a water vapor transmissionrate of ≦0.40 gm/100 sq. in. (645.16 cm²/24 hours).
 27. A humidityregulating system as in claim 25 wherein the materials of said storagecontainer comprises a polymer film having a water vapor transmissionrate of ≦0.10 gm/100 sq. in. (645.16 cm²/24 hours).
 28. A humidityregulating system as in claim 25 wherein said humidity regulating unitsare flexible pouches having an area of water vapor, semi-permeable filmand contain one or more humidity regulating materials.
 29. A humidityregulating system as in claim 28 wherein said humidity regulating unitsfurther comprise an amount of a thickening material.
 30. A humidityregulating system as in claim 29 wherein said storage container furthercomprises a clothing bag.
 31. A humidity regulating system as in claim25 wherein said humidity regulating materials are selected from salts ofalkaline earth metals and alkali metals.
 32. A humidity regulatingsystem for use in storing items of interest comprising: (a) a storagecontainer defining a volume for storing said articles of interest andhaving a generally low water vapor transmission rate; (b) a closurearrangement that generally effectively seals said articles of interestin said storage container thereby creating a storage environment; and(c) one or more humidity regulating units containing amounts of humidityregulating materials in communication with the interior of said storagecontainer capable of regulating a desired, generally constant relativehumidity in said storage environment that will maintain a desiredhumidity range in said articles of interest during a selected duration.33. A humidity regulating system as in claim 32 wherein said items ofinterest are selected from edible materials.
 34. A humidity regulatingsystem as in claim 33 wherein the materials of said storage containercomprises a polymer film having a water vapor transmission rate of ≦0.40gm/100 sq. in. (645.16 cm²/24 hours).
 35. A humidity regulating systemas in claim 33 wherein said humidity regulating units are flexiblepouches having an area of water vapor, semi-permeable film and containone or more humidity regulating materials.
 36. A humidity regulatingsystem as in claim 35 wherein said humidity regulating materials includeone or more hygroscopic salts and a brine-tolerant thickening material.37. A humidity regulating system as in claim 36 wherein said humidityregulating materials are selected from salts of alkaline earth metalsand alkali metals.
 38. A humidity regulating system as in claim 33wherein said storage container comprises a material selected from vinyl,polyester, polyamide or polyalkylenes.
 39. A humidity regulating systemas in claim 38 wherein said material of said storage container isfurther coated on one or both sides with a material selected from adiverse fabric, foil, metalized film, paper, non-woven polymers andglass films.
 40. A humidity regulating system as in claim 32 whereinsaid storage container comprises a material selected from vinyl,polyester, polyamide or polyalkylenes.
 41. A humidity regulating systemas in claim 40 wherein said material of said storage container isfurther coated on one or both sides with a material selected from adiverse fabric, foil, metalized film, paper, non-woven polymers andglass films.
 42. A humidity regulating system as in claim 32 whereinsaid one or more humidity regulating units includes a container havingan area of water vapor semi-permeable film and contains one or morehumidity regulating materials.
 43. A humidity regulating system as inclaim 42 wherein said humidity regulating materials include one or morehygroscopic salts and a brine-tolerant thickening material.
 44. Ahumidity regulating system as in claim 43 wherein said humidityregulating materials are selected from salts of alkaline earth metalsand alkali metals.
 45. A method of regulating the humidity in a storagecontainer for storing items of interest comprising: (a) providing astorage container defining a selected volume for storing said articlesof interest and having a selected generally low water vapor transmissionrate and a closure arrangement that generally effectively seals saidarticles of interest in said storage container thereby creating astorage environment; and (b) placing one or more selected humidityregulating units containing amounts of humidity regulating materials incommunication with the interior of said storage container to regulatethe humidity in said storage environment.
 46. A method as in claim 45including selecting humidity regulating materials and any size andnumber of humidity regulating units based on a desired value ofregulated humidity in said storage container, desired storage durationand ambient humidity.